Published: July 26, 2024 |

Rescue teams consisted of six miners in a simulated mine. (Photo: Brandyn Wilcoxen)
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Miners simulated checking air for potentially dangerous gas. (Photo: Brandyn Wilcoxen)
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An assumed risk for a coal miner is the possibility of a disaster. Just like any other industry, the coal mining industry must always stay prepared in case such an event occurs.

The Illinois Mine Rescue Association hosted a rescue competition on Wednesday at the Pavillion in Marion, held in tandem with the Illinois Mining Institute’s annual gathering.

Twelve teams representing mines from Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana took part in the event, which saw them plan and execute a rescue operation during a simulated disaster scenario.

Shawn Batty, president of the Illinois Mine Rescue Association, said that mine rescue teams must compete in at least two contests per year and undergo 96 hours of training.

“They don’t get anything extra for being on these teams. They’re doing it for the right reason,” said Batty.

“You don’t know if it’s going to be any day of the week, or what time of day, but I assure you these guys are ready for the first phone call they get,” added Batty.

Teams were judged based on their employment of safe and proper techniques. The competition also featured a written component before the teams went out into the field.

Teams consisted of six miners, including five working inside the simulated mine while the sixth remained on the “surface” receiving and relaying information to the team.

Among the tasks were searching for and rescuing other miners, mapping out the mine and its conditions, checking gas levels at each point, and simulating ventilating the mine to ensure fresh air can reach them.

“What they’re looking for is how they can safely ventilate the coal mine and safely get people out of the barricade, or wherever they find them through the problem,” said Batty.

Paul A. Perrine is on his second year with the rescue team at Foresight North, a mine in Hillsboro, Illinois. He was promoted to team captain after previously being the map man.

“We’ve got a pretty new team. We’ve got a lot of new guys in new positions, but we’re coming along pretty well,” said Perrine.

Perrine said the competition helps his team bond through experience to stay prepared in case of a real-world disaster.

“There’s no way you can ever practice and simulate for the real thing enough,” said Perrine.

“It’s going to be its own animal. But the more you can practice, the more you can get your mindset, the more you can get familiar with different obstacles, it’s a huge advantage,” added Perrine.

One of the challenges of Wednesday’s competition was the environment, taking place in a field near the Marion Pavillion in sunny 90 degree weather. Along with the teams’ equipment and oxygen masks, it provided a unique twist to the competition.

“We put ice packs in our packs, but they don’t last long in this kind of heat,” said Perrine.

“You’ve just got to stick it through. You start to notice it towards the end, but that adrenaline keeps you going,” added Perrine.

Source: The Southern Illinoisan

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